Mountain lion hunting might be one of the most exciting and challenging games. It is also known as pumas, cougars, and many other names, found in various habitats in western Canada and the United States.
Mountain lion hunting occurs from as early as August through January or February. In some regions, the spring hunting season may be prolonged if mountain lion populations are deemed to be out of control. It is the fourth-largest feline in the world.
Although this species is elusive, quiet, and cautious, it also possesses a sense of stealth and mystery in the wild. This marauder sneaks up on its prey and attacks unexpectedly. Livestock, deer, and ungulates are just a few of its key food sources.
Being the largest of the tiny cats is a characteristic that distinguishes mountain lions from other small cats. If you have the right mountain lion hunting advice, you can take down this animal most effectively.
How to hunt mountain lion
Like any outdoor adventure, mountain lion hunting takes a lot of planning. The hunter must mentally explore all aspects of lion hunting. You must prepare a list of the equipment you plan to bring. The list will provide a strong basis for setting up your equipment and, hopefully, keep you from neglecting those small but crucial parts. The following steps are used to determine an effective hunt.
Specific Requirements and Restrictions
A hunting license is required, and you must always have it when hunting. To be eligible to apply for a license, most states will need you to have completed a hunter education course. To find out the precise criteria, you must consult the local authorities.
Generally speaking, it is illegal to kill a baby or an adult mountain lion that is present with one or more kittens. Undoubtedly, hand-held calls are permitted, but technological calls and devices are not. Although it is banned to use bait, up to eight dogs are allowed. As a hunter, you must engage actively during the entire hunt and be there whenever a dog is released.
Hunting Equipment
There are various takedown techniques that are approved. Utilizing handguns or centerfire rifles is the first option. You must use guns that weigh at least 45 grains and have minimum discharge energy of 400 foot-pounds.
The second is the adoption of muzzle-loading rifles and smoothbore muskets, which must have a minimum caliber of 40 and weigh at least 170 grains. The third one is the use of single-slug 20 gauge shotguns. The fourth technique makes use of archery tools like crossbows and hand-held bows.
Lion Identification
You must be able to differentiate between female and male mountain lions. Even though you can tell the sex apart with your naked eye from a close distance, this activity will require you to have binoculars.
Males often have three spots located about a few inches below the base of their tails. Just below the tail is where the anal opening is located. On the other hand, the female cougar has two spots at the base of its tail. Its anal hole is concealed behind the tail’s base.
Always look for the darkest area and note where it is. If the darkest spot is near the tail or impossible to see, the mountain lion will always be a female. When the spot is about five inches below the tail, there is a good chance that the lion is male.
Spot & Chase
If you’ve never gone mountain lion hunting before, your initial move should be to spot and chase a lion. However, you should be aware that spotting and stalking have a low success rate. This is true because cats are well recognized for their tendency to stalk and spot. Patience is a virtue you must develop to succeed.
Hunting Hound
The most effective way to hunt mountain lions is by hounding. However, the process is difficult because it takes time, money, and effort. When you set the dogs loose on the trail, you have a good chance of taking down a mountain lion. Basic requirements for a successful hound hunt are a densely populated lion habitat, a smart team of trained hounds, and a capable hunter. As soon as the hounds are on a trail, you must keep up with them.
Calling mountain lions & walking the cat
Due to their rarity, calling them can be difficult. As a result, even if you build as many stands as possible, the feline might never hear you calling. As an alternative, you need to call more diligently, and you will find them with ease. Keep playing deer sounds because they are mountain lion’s preferred prey. The next strategy is to walk the cats.
Especially in states where hound hunting is prohibited, hunters have started to use this method more and more. It is undoubtedly a successful method of catching them, although achievement depends on ideal circumstances. If you don’t have any hounds, it’s one of the most effective approaches. After a recent snowfall, you must travel around known lion hideouts.
According to experts, the optimum time to awaken a mountain lion is just after a snowy night. There will be recent tracks left behind. You will be following the cats without the help of dogs. After a little lagging, you expect to see the mountain lion in front of you. The weather poses the greatest difficulty for this strategy. Both the location of your spot and the timing of the weather are requirements for mountain lion encounters.
Hire a guide
If you have never gone mountain lion hunting before, you should strongly consider hiring a guide. Aside from the expertise you need, your choice to hire a guide is entirely based on your financial situation and personal preferences. Your guide will arrange for transportation to and from the hunting grounds as well as lodging, meals, and directions.
But it is not as simple as it seems. You need to conduct some research, particularly if you want to team up with an experienced outdoors person who will increase your chances. If you do not already know something about lion hunting, be sure your guide can educate you. The path system in his area should be well-known to him, and he should be familiar with mountain lion behavior.
Equip essential information
Always arm yourself with the knowledge you need, especially if you plan to hunt without the help of an expert. You need to have what it takes to finish the hunt; else, you will merely be going on a trip. Having the right license and equipment is not sufficient.
You must know the general hunting laws and restrictions applicable to all mountain lion management areas. Therefore be aware of the hunting season. Additionally, make an effort to compile a lot of information.
Mountain Lion Facts
The mountain lion has been designated as a game animal. Your ability to hunt mountain lions successfully entirely depends on your study of them. You must first be aware of an animal’s habitat, diet, life expectancy, weight and height.
They can be found in various habitats, such as wetlands, grasslands, mountains, and woods.
Deer, birds, squirrels, coyotes, sheep, elk, wild pigs, and small mammals are some of their preferred foods.
They can live for around twelve years in the wild.
Adult males weigh between 110 and 180 pounds, while females weigh between 80 and 130 pounds.
Their height ranges from 2.2 to 2.5 feet.
